Kazakh-Romanian relations: results for 2019

Diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Romania were established 27 years ago, during which a solid foundation was laid for cooperation in the political, economic and cultural-humanitarian sphere. The continued mutual support of the international initiatives of the two countries is of particular satisfaction. The Ambassador noted that it was during the Romanian presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2019 that the updated EU Strategy for Central Asia was adopted, which was recognized to give a new impetus to cooperation on the entire spectrum of the EU-CA agenda.

Romania is an important trading partner of Kazakhstan in Southeast Europe. The trade turnover between the countries for 9 months of 2019 amounted to 1.373 billion US dollars. Its basis is the export of crude oil from Kazakhstan. A significant contribution to the development of the energy partnership is made by KazMunayGas International (Rompetrol). Rustemov emphasized that the intention of the Romanian side to strengthen trust and friendly relations with Kazakhstan is confirmed by the adoption on December 5 this year the decision by the Romanian authorities on the debt remaining from the former owners of the Rompetrol company.

At the same time, Kazakhstan intends to intensify work on diversification of trade and economic cooperation. Prospects for this are available in a number of areas. In particular, Grampet Group, the largest private railway transport company in Southeast Europe, is interested in investing in the construction of a joint venture for the production and repair of freight rail cars in Kazakhstan. It is important that in September 2018 Grampet Group became the first European company to join the Trans-Caspian international transport route.

In addition, as a result of negotiations with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Bucharest, an agreement was reached on the establishment of joint ventures in Kazakhstan in the field of engineering and the production of spare parts for the railway industry.

Also, an agreement was reached between the Kazakh company Kazatomprom and the Romanian Nuclearelectrica to establish long-term cooperation.

In order to develop the intensification of bilateral relations, including tourism, negotiations have begun with the Romanian Airline Blue Air on the issue of opening direct flights. The Romanian side proposed to conduct test flights between Nur-Sultan and Bucharest in 2020.

Cultural and humanitarian ties between Kazakhstan and Romania are also characterized by positive dynamics. Since 2016, Romania annually provides grants for the training of Kazakhstani students in its leading universities in the natural sciences and the humanities and scientific and technical specialties. A significant contribution to the establishment of trusting and friendly relations between the peoples of the two countries is made by national-cultural societies: “Stefan the Great” (Almaty), “Dacia” (Karaganda), “Bukovina” (Pavlodar).

It has become a tradition to hold annual Days of Kazakh cinema in Bucharest, Constance and Cluj cities. This year, Romanian viewers saw such works by Kazakh filmmakers as “The Kazakh Khanate. Golden Throne”, “Shynyrau” and others.

In July-August 2019, the Tattimbet Karaganda Academic Folk Instruments Orchestra conducted a concert tour in the major cities of Romania - Bucharest, Constanta and Vaslui. Famous cultural figures of our country - composer Tolegen Mukhamedzhanov, opera singer Nurzhamal Usenbayeva, tenor Nurzhan Bazhekenov together with the Romanian tenor Kalin Bratescu performed in Bucharest on the occasion of Independence Day of Kazakhstan.